It’s nearly gotten to the point where we’re numb to anything Jon Gruden has to say when it comes to quarterbacks, since he’s the Will Rogers of quarterback evaluation.
But when Gruden speaks, we’re still inclined to listen. If only to then shrug off his words as typical of a guy who wants to have maximum options and leverage when he decides to return to the NFL as a head coach.
With Gruden’s special edition of his QB Camp debuting tonight (9:00 p.m. ET), he has even more to say about the subject of the effort, former Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor.
Gruden recently called Pryor a “rare talent.” Gruden has elaborated, per Joe Reedy of the Cincinnati Enquirer.
“He was 31-4 [in college],” Gruden said. “He played good football in the big arena and played well in big games like the Rose Bowl and Sugar Bowl. He was also undefeated against Michigan.”
Similar things also could have been said about Matt Leinart.
As to the man to whom Pryor is more often compared by those who seem him as a potentially stellar NFL quarterback -- Auburn’s Cam Newton -- it sounds as if Gruden thinks Pryor is even more prepared, based on his college experiences. “He’s used to lining up underneath center and he played in plenty of two-back and one-back sets,” Gruden said. “He impressed me with his football attributes and dealing with checks and audibles at the line of scrimmage. He was asked to do a lot.”
Gruden also sees no differences between Pryor and other young players in his situation. “He’s just like all the other quarterbacks and has to work on it,” Gruden said. “I know he has worked hard on his delivery and he has been conscious of it. Many wonder about arm strength but he had a tremendous throw [in 2009] in a two-minute drill against Iowa to DeVier Posey that he dropped. He just has to press on and improve his accuracy and fundamentals. That will come in time.”
One thing that surely won’t come in time is a negative review from Gruden of one of the quarterbacks he studies.